It’s almost Father’s Day and the “father figure” in your life — define that term however you want! — deserves more than a bottle of cheap, drugstore cologne or a gift card. This year, instead of Googling “gifts for Father’s Day” and then picking the most inexpensive one, actually buy him something worthwhile.

By “worthwhile” we mean whiskey. We always mean whiskey. Nothing says that you appreciate everything your dad has done for you quite like a bottle of bourbon. David Powell, brand ambassador at Hudson Whiskey, explains that picking the right bottle for your dad isn’t easy. That’s part of what makes it such a thoughtful gift.

“It’s hard to narrow this one down, the category is so expansive and there are so many amazing bourbons out there,” he says. “For me, it would have to be more about what my dad is into more so than just dropping him a bottle of Hudson just because I can.”

Find out what your dad is into. Drop a few hints to see what he’s been drinking lately or if he’s open to trying something new. If you get stumped, take a few hints from some of our favorite bartenders.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Caleb Kimbley, bartender at The Beehive in San Francisco

It has to be something timeless and as special as the person receiving it. That is Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, a sophisticated bourbon that’s been around the block more than once.

Eagle Rare

Danny Caffall, lead bartender at The Mansion Bar in Dallas

Eagle Rare. Fantastic juice at a good price and not hard to find. I like to give people things that they will enjoy, preferably with me. If you give someone a really expensive bottle, they may never open it or only on special occasions.

AD Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon

Seth Lowe, owner of 39 North Spirits in Eagle, Colorado

As for a bourbon, our pick would be AD Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey-Bonded. It’s the first bonded whiskey in the history of Colorado, and again clocks in at around 100-proof. All the whiskey is aged a minimum of 6 plus years. A great gift for Father’s Day because of the exclusivity of this limited release. Its not the easiest to find and with a price tag that is typically over $100, this one isn’t an everyday bourbon, and would work well as a special gift for dad.

Long Acre Long Hair Jim

Nancy Conaway, bartender at Republic Street Bar in Fort Worth, Texas

Long Hair Jim by Acre Distillery. A quality spirit that is part of my local Fort Worth community. The locals can even enjoy a fun afternoon sitting at the distillery enjoying some lovely libations with dad.

W.L. Weller Antique 107

Zack Musick, beverage director at Merriman’s in Hawaii

W.L. Weller Antique 107 will always be a standout bourbon for me. What separates W.L. Weller from other brands is the amount of wheat that goes into their mash bill, making it one of the smoother options out there. Any true whiskey lover would appreciate having a bottle of Weller to add to their collection.

Maker’s Mark

Kenneth McCoy, chief creative officer at The Rum House in New York City

Maker’s Mark bourbon will always be my go-to whiskey. Great for the novice or the well-seasoned whiskey drinker. Super smooth, easy to drink, and makes a killer Manhattan.

Koval Single Barrel

Robert Swain Jr., owner of OnTheRoX Bartending Services in the British Virgin Islands

Koval Single Barrel Bourbon comes to mind when I think of the ultimate drink for the man of the house. With a few flavors that dance on your palate — like apricot, caramel, and tobacco, Koval can definitely be served neat. No chaser or ice required.

Knob Creek Single Barrel

David Powell, brand ambassador at Hudson Whiskey

I’d probably find him a bottle of Knob Creek Reserve Single Barrel because Knob Creek is the first whiskey that I remember him ordering from me at Red Rooster. It would be a nice way of giving him something that I know he likes, just a slightly more unique version of it.

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep

James Simpson, beverage director at Espita in Washington, DC

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep – Jimmy Russell’s name is synonymous with excellent bourbon, and his son Eddie joined him in the Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2010. This bottle is Eddie’s first release as master distiller, an incredible limited edition 17-year-old bourbon that celebrates the passing of tradition from father to son.

Maker’s Mark 46

Tim Wiggins, co-owner and beverage director of Yellowbelly in St. Louis

In my opinion, the best bourbon to gift anyone is their favorite bourbon. Most dads who enjoy bourbon have been drinking their favorite brand for a long while. If the dude loves Maker’s Mark, upgrade him to the Maker’s 46. I think forcing a “better” bourbon on someone who has their standard is not always wise.

Buffalo Trace

Todd Johnston, beverage director at Thompson Nashville

Buffalo Trace is a pretty recognizable name in the world of bourbon and domestic whiskey. It encompasses many different labels, several of which are fairly small production and limited in their release. If you can’t find some of the more rare releases like Pappy Van Winkle then Weller is the way to go. Not only is it easier to find but it is wildly less expensive and is made up of the same wheated mash bill as Pappy.

Weller 12 Year

Brock Schulte, bar director of The Monarch Bar in Kansas City

Weller 12 Year or Full proof is probably a favorite of mine. It’s rich, full-bodied, and has a long finish. Weller is a staple for quality and collectability.

The music sharing platform Bandcamp has been waiving its fees on a select number of days since the beginning of the pandemic in order to support artists in need. On Friday to celebrate Juneteenth, the website announced it would be donating its share of profits from music sales to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. As a result, many artists have elected to release music via Bandcamp Friday. In order to contribute to the cause, Toro Y Moi teamed up with twin jazz duo The Mattson 2 for a groovy cover of Afro-Filipino artist Joe Bataan’s 1972 track “Ordinary Guy.”

In a statement, Toro Y Moi said he was immediately drawn to Bataan’s music upon first hearing him in 2009:

“I’m super excited to announce this release. It’s a cover of a song by a fellow Afro-Filipino, Joe Bataan. His music first caught my ear back in 2009 when Ryan Kattner of Man Man played it for me. I was immediately hooked by Joe’s music because, to me, he represented the impossible–he felt so comfortable in his skin and he had so much confidence and appeal. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe at an incredible dinner with friends at Jeepney, a Filipino restaurant in New York City. Joe was at the center of the table, talking to us like we were family. I played Joe the cover that night through the restaurant stereo and he was so happy to hear that his music stood the test of time and reached me. Now, 45 years after the original song hit the airwaves, I’m honored to bring this song to new ears. Thank you for your support.”

Toro Y Moi’s “Ordinary Guy” cover isn’t the first time the singer united with The Mattson 2. Back in 2017, the three recorded the joint record Star Stuff, released the moniker Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2. Toro will also release an instrumental version of Causers Of This next week to celebrate the album’s anniversary.

Listen to Toro Y Moi and The Mattson 2 cover Joe Bataan’s “Ordinary Guy” on Bandcamp here.

After a long three year investigation that, at times, looked it would go nowhere, That ’70s Show and The Ranch star Danny Masterson was officially charged with three counts of rape on Wednesday. The surprise announcement came after years of back-and-forth headlines involving the Church of Scientology and Masterson’s multiple accusers, four of whom sued the church and the actor in 2019 over claims that they were stalked and harassed after going to the police.

In a statement to PEOPLE, the four accusers suing Masterson expressed their thanks to the Los Angeles County’s D.A. Office for finally charging the actor with rape, and they are confident that justice will be done.

“Since we were victimized and raped by Danny Masterson—and knowing we are not the only victims—all we have wanted was justice, accountability, and truth. Instead, we were subjected to continued harassment, embarrassment, and re-victimization by Masterson and the Church of Scientology, which has only worsened since they learned we were cooperating with authorities,” the statement, given to PEOPLE by the women’s attorneys, reads. “We are thankful that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office is finally seeking criminal justice against Masterson after a three-year investigation. We are confident that the truth will be known and hope that the charges filed today are the first steps in this long journey of healing, justice, and holding those that victimized us accountable.”

The accusers’ statement arrives on the heels of former Scientologist Leah Remini’s reaction to the charges. Remini has been championing the victims during their struggles with the church and its alleged efforts to influence the LAPD.

“Finally, victims are being heard when it comes to Scientology! Praise the lord!” Remini tweeted. “This is just the beginning Scientology, your days of getting away with it is coming to an end! #justice #scientologytheaftermath.”

Back in 2017, Remini interviewed Masterson’s accusers for an episode of her award-winning A&E series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. After talking to the D.A.’s office, however, Remini shelved the episode out of concern that it could jeopardize the investigation. But as the case continued to move at a snail’s pace and concerns were raised over whether it had been permanently stalled, Remini pulled the trigger and aired the interview for the series finale in August 2019.

[via PEOPLE]

Drake’s undying love of sports has been extensively-documented. In the past, Drake has been seen hanging out with Kevin Durant and offering his LA home to Kawhi Leonard. Drake even gifted himself an iced-out, custom-designed Toronto Raptors championship ring. But with the coronavirus pandemic effectively shutting down the sports sector, the rapper has been forced to turn to other outlets to fill the void left in the absence of basketball. Apparently, the rapper has been using time in quarantine to practice his cornhole moves, and it has paid off.

In a video captured and posted to his Instagram, Drake sank an impressive bullseye shot in a game of cornhole. The rapper can be seen standing on his second-floor balcony and tossing a red bean bag at the cornhole board several yards away. The rapper’s aim was perfect, and the bean bag landed into the hole with a satisfying thump as his friends erupted in cheer. “Highlight of summer 2020 so far,” he wrote alongside the video.

In other Drake news, it was recently announced that the rapper is leading nominations for this year’s BET Awards. Drake has been nominated for six categories, including Best Collaboration, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video Of The Year, and Viewer’s Choice Award.

Watch the clip of Drake’s impressive cornhole trick shot above.

The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color in the United States, adding insult to injury in the ongoing fight for racial equity in all areas. According to an NPR analysis of available data, the following are some disparities that have been found:

– Nationally, deaths from COVID-19 are nearly two times greater for Black Americans than would be expected based on share of population. In four states, the rate is three or more times greater than expected.

– In 42 states plus Washington D.C., Hispanic/Latino people make up a greater share of cases than expected for population share

– In 37 states plus Washington D.C. white deaths are lower than expected for population share

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In response to these disparities, the city of Compton, California is partnering with Black-led organizations to respond to the testing and care needed in Black and Brown communities. ByeCOVID is an initiative founded by Originals Nation, a non-profit organization focusing on economic progress and wealth-building for Black America by providing infrastructure to support innovation, and Trap heals, an artist/strategist collective utilizing community engagement, artistic activism and cultural leadership to honor and heal communities of color.

Together with the mayor of Compton, Aja Brown, these organizations are offering free, FDA-approved, rapid antibody testing to the community through byeCOVID.

In fact, today they are offering free antibody testing to all attendees of Compton College’s Juneteenth celebration, with both walk-up and drive-thru options available.

The byeCOVID website describes the coronavirus initiative as, “a cultural response system that can deploy resources directly to underserved communities during this crisis.”

Why is a “cultural response system” needed? Because we are in a healthcare crisis that relies on a healthcare system that already has a problem with disparate racial outcomes. The fact that the pandemic has followed suit points to certain needs not being met in communities of color.

“Providing underprivileged communities with free Covid-19 antibody testing delivered in a culturally sensitive manner is our chance to transform the narrative and uplift the people,” the website states. “We won’t stop with getting them access to the testing kits. We will also provide them with holistic care packages curated to promote positive well being that can sustain long-term healing.”

A byeCOVID van can bring mobile testing into communities where testing is needed, and the care packages offered are “filled with essential items, personal protective equipment (PPE) and many soothing grooves to promote healthy coping mechanisms and best mental health practices.”

Since the healthcare system doesn’t generally recognizing or attend to the cultural needs of communities of color, this initiative aims to help fill the gap, at least during the pandemic. “Racism is a public health crisis and we must come together to protect the most vulnerable among us,” the byeCOVID site states. “During this global pandemic, which has prompted immense societal reflection, healing elements that remind us of self-care and communal togetherness need to become standard for the cultural spaces we create.”

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Haim began the roll out for their upcoming album, Women In Music Pt. III, by sharing new songs very quickly after they were finished. Somehow, they’ve managed to up the ante on that release strategy: Before even sharing the studio version of a new number called “Gasoline,” the sisters premiered it via a filmed performance of the song, which they shared on Instagram. In the video description, they wrote simply, “miss playing for you guys. here’s a new song ‘gasoline.’”

Haim was the focus of a recent Rolling Stone profile, and in it, Alana spoke about the making of the album and how it reflects the band’s continually growing maturity: “Whatever mood we were in that day [when we recorded], we were really not hard on ourselves. There was a lot of stream-of-consciousness writing, there was a lot of, ‘Just sit down, listen, and write whatever you’re f*cking thinking in your brain. Nothing’s off-limits.’ […] When we got our first record, I was 21 or 22, and now I’m 28. And with growth and age you get more confidence. I feel like a completely different person than when we first started this band, and I feel like this record does that justice.”

Watch Haim perform “Gasoline” above.

Florida continues to be a coronavirus hot spot, which is very bad news for all the sports leagues that want to resume activities there. The number of positive cases continue to rise, and the percentage of those tested coming back positive remains alarmingly high as reports circulate that some hospitals are near or are already at capacity in their respective intensive care units.

This is bad news for everyone, especially the people of Florida. And though the NBA and MLS have not officially started their bubble leagues in Orlando, which are slated to start in July, another league has had a rash of COVID-19 outbreaks at at least one Florida facility. While Major League Baseball is in a protracted fight with its players association about a potential season, some players have started to train for what would be a significantly shorter campaign than in most years. But the Philadelphia Phillies facility in Clearwater, Florida recently saw a coronavirus outbreak where at least five players have tested positive for COVID-19.

As Matt Gelb of The Athletic laid out, the team is administering contract tracing but still doesn’t know exactly how many cases it has, as testing results are still pending.

The Phillies are in the process of determining the size of an outbreak at their Clearwater, Fla., training complex after a positive test for COVID-19 earlier in the week prompted the club to close its facility. While eight of the 16 people tested have been positive for the virus, according to the team, the true extent of the outbreak is unknown because 32 players and staff members are awaiting test results.

The Toronto Blue Jays, which have a facility in nearby Dunedin, abruptly shut that down on Friday as well after a player displayed COVID-19 symptoms.

Meanwhile, another Florida team shut down its facility on Friday because of coronavirus as well. ESPN reported that the Tampa Bay Lightning closed their facility after “several” players and staff tested positive for COVID-19. It’s troubling news in the sports world because of the unknown long-term impact of COVID-19 on athletes as well as their immediate health, but also bad news for leagues pinning their hopes on restarting sports this summer. Whether teams are hoping to play in Florida or elsewhere, right now it’s a dangerous place to attempt a return to business as normal.

Three members of New York-based indie label Griselda — Westside Gunn, Conway, and Benny The Butcher — were originally slated to perform on NPR’s revered concert series Tiny Desk. A week before their scheduled appearance, though, the coronavirus pandemic began getting serious. Griselda’s performance was canceled as several cities across the country issued stay-at-home orders. To make up for the lost set, Benny The Butcher was invited to participate in Tiny Desk’s at-home concert series.

From the comfort of his couch in Atlanta and surrounded by copies of his previously-released records, Benny The Butcher took on several of his hits. Opening his set with two tracks from his 2019 effort The Plugs I Met, Benny gave a captivating rendition of “Crown For Kings” and “Rubber Bands & Weight.”

Before concluding his set with “Cruiser Weight Coke” and “5 To 50,” Benny invited two of his collaborators to join him on his couch. The rapper tapped Rick Hyde and Heem, two musicians on his newly-minted BSF label imprint, for a live rendition of “Da Mob.” The track arrives as the lead single off his upcoming label compilation, Benny The Butcher & DJ Drama Presents: Gangsta Grillz X BSF Da Respected Sopranos, which is slated to be released later in June.

Watch Benny The Butcher perform on NPR’s at-home Tiny Desk concert series above.

Today (June 19) marks Juneteenth, the day commemorating the liberation of slaves in America. This year, many are calling for the day to be recognized as a national holiday. Pharrell recently spoke at a briefing in Virginia after pressuring the governor to introduce legislation that would cement Juneteenth as an observed holiday in the state. Now, Usher is the latest artist to speak up on the importance of commemorating the day. The singer published an op-ed that examines why Juneteenth should be nationally revered.

In an article written for The Washington Post, Usher said the recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday “would be a small gesture compared with the greater social needs of black people in America,” but doing so can still “remind us of our journey toward freedom, and the work America still has to do.”

Usher began the op-ed by reflecting on the lack of curriculum surrounding Black history in his Tennessee school system. “I came to understand Juneteenth’s history a decade ago during a period of reflection and in pursuit of any ancestral history that would tell me who I am,” he wrote.

The singer continued that the day should be revered, but also stands as a reminder about how equality wasn’t immediately granted to Black Americans after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation:

“The liberation Juneteenth commemorates is cause for celebration, but it also reminds us how equality can be delayed. On June 19, 1865, on the shores of Galveston, Tex., Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived by boat to announce to enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended and they were now free. While President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was issued two and a half years prior, and the Civil War had ended in April of that year, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that almost all of our ancestors were free. We should honor their lives and celebrate that day of freedom forever.”

Usher concluded his explainer by offering ways to celebrate Juneteenth:

“Making sure that our history is told is critical to supporting and sustaining our growth as a people. The least we deserve is to have this essential moment included in the broader American story. […] We could observe it, as many black Americans already do, by celebrating both our first step toward freedom as black people in America and also the many contributions to this land: the construction of Black Wall Street; the invention of jazz, rock n’ roll, hip-hop and R&B; and all the entrepreneurship and business brilliance, extraordinary cuisine, sports excellence, political power and global cultural influence black Americans have given the world.”

Read Usher’s full op-ed here.